The Conic Color TV Sports 406 is a classic late-1970s Pong console produced by Conic, a Hong Kong–based manufacturer known for creating a wide range of electronic toys, radios, and early video game systems. With vibrant styling, built-in controllers, and a selection of sports-themed Pong games, the 406 stands out among the many dedicated Pong consoles of its era — especially thanks to its included light gun and color output, a premium feature at the time.
Today, the Conic Color TV Sports 406 is a charming and highly collectible example of early home gaming technology.
📘 Introduction
During the mid-to-late 1970s, Pong consoles exploded in popularity worldwide. Dozens of companies produced their own dedicated systems, each offering slight variations on tennis-style games, shooting simulations, and simple ball-bouncing challenges.
The Conic Color TV Sports 406 belongs to this golden age of Pong systems, offering:
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Colour display (rare at the time)
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Multiple built-in games
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Hardwired paddle controls
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A bundled light gun
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Easy plug-and-play setup
This combination made it one of the more feature-rich Pong consoles marketed in Europe and Asia.
🎨 Distinctive Yellow Retro Design
The 406 is instantly recognisable thanks to its bright, cheerful colour scheme:
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Yellow main body
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Black paddles and light gun
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Clean, simple layout
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Built-in dual paddle controllers
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Toggle switches for game selection
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Sturdy construction typical of 1970s plastics
Its visual style alone makes it a favourite display piece in retro gaming collections.
🎮 Built-In Games
As with most Pong consoles of its era, the Conic 406 includes several classic variations, typically powered by a General Instrument Pong chip.
Common built-in games include:
🟡 Sports Variants
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Tennis
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Football / Soccer
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Squash
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Practice mode
🔫 Light Gun Games
Using the included pistol-style light gun:
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Target shooting
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Moving target variant
The addition of a light gun made the 406 feel more advanced and interactive than many competing Pong clones.
⚙️ Hardware & Features
Although simple by modern standards, the 406 offered impressive capabilities for its time.
Key Features
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Colour video output (PAL)
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Built-in dual paddles (rotary knobs)
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Adjustable difficulty and ball speed
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Light gun input
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Internal scoring displayed on-screen
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Classic bleeps and boops audio
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RF output for CRT televisions
The system is powered via an external adapter and connects via RF to vintage TVs.
🎯 Light Gun Functionality
The light gun included with the 406 is a highlight of the system.
Features:
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Pistol-style design
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Trigger-activated shooting
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Works with CRT televisions only
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Functional aiming and motion detection via light sensitivity
For many players in the 1970s, this was the closest thing to a home arcade shooting game.
📺 CRT Compatibility
Like all Pong consoles of the time, the 406 connects through RF:
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Works best with vintage CRTs
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Requires channel tuning
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Produces nostalgic scanlines and colour bleed
The colour output makes games more visually appealing than black-and-white Pong clones.
🛠️ Reliability & Common Issues
The Conic 406 is usually robust, but age can introduce typical issues:
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Oxidised paddle potentiometers (causing jitter)
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RF cable wear
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Light gun detection issues due to weak CRTs
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Discoloration or yellowing of the plastic body
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Loose power connectors
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Dust buildup inside the unit
Most problems are easy to restore thanks to simple circuitry.
🌍 Cultural & Historical Significance
The Conic Color TV Sports 406 is an excellent representative of the early days of home gaming:
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Shows how Pong variants evolved across brands
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Demonstrates early attempts at colour gameplay
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Includes one of the earliest home light gun experiences
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Reflects the blend of sports and shooting games popular at that time
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Remains a beloved collectible for fans of pre-Atari 2600 gaming
Consoles like the 406 paved the way for later multi-game systems and brought affordable entertainment to households worldwide.
📦 Items Included in This Collection Entry
📜 Conclusion
The Conic Color TV Sports 406 is a vibrant and feature-packed Pong console from the earliest era of home video games. With its charming retro design, colour output, built-in paddles, and included light gun, it remains a standout piece among dedicated Pong systems.
A delightful collectible — and an essential addition for enthusiasts of 1970s gaming history.